Ateneo- La Salle Round 2 Season 85

                                      

                        One Big Fight is More Than A Cheer

By Rick Olivares

 

It is a huge win – this 68-54 triumph over La Salle. One of the biggest all season. This is the game and the favorable result that I hope – as an Ateneo alumnus and supporter – turns the season around.

 

At the start of the season I didn’t think that the Blue Eagles would win the title. Compete, yes. Winning it? That isn’t a given. It has to be earned. 

 

I didn’t think the line-up is good enough. The talent is there but they do not have experience. I essentially boiled it down to two things that could bring the team across the finish line despite the lack of experience --- hunger and heart. 

I would say it is a combination of talent and skill, experience, coaching and we have one of the best of the bestest coaches, as well as hunger and heart. Especially the last two – hunger and heart.

 

That was sorely missing against National University in the second round loss. That is what makes NU dangerous. They are willing to pound the ball inside and rebound like there is no tomorrow. Those guys are fearless. Bleeping throwback basketball. 

 

Against NU, it seemed as if it was only BJ Andrade willing to go toe-to-toe. 

 

Whatever happened to that One Big Fight?

 

Sure we are in rebuilding mode. Well, NU has been in rebuilding mode these last two seasons. Consider who they lost from top to bottom. And yet, here they are – pre-season champions and challenging for a title with a budget far less than Ateneo’s, La Salle’s, and UP’s. And with a foreign student-athlete who isn’t dominating. Chew on that.

 

It doesn’t help that Angelo Kouame is not 100%, but injuries are part of the game. And it is tough for La Salle to be without Schonny Winston and a less than 100% Philips brothers. 

 

I have been critical of the offense in the last several years for its penchant for bombing away from the outside and eschewing an inside attack. 

 

I have nothing against spreading the floor; the Blue Eagles wrote the book on that in college hoops. I have problems with it when they close to the basket then and yet, throw the ball out. I can understand it is a tall player meeting you in the lane, but when there is no challenge – and this happened several times against La Salle and lots of times this past and the previous season. 

 

I know that I am not as learned as the coaches but it doesn’t make sense to me to not go with the high percentage shot. 

 

That is why when say, Gio Chiu, goes out to meet the ball or to set a screen, I think it is a wasted opportunity when he isn’t a threat and opponents know he will pass the ball. 

 

Clumsy, awkward, or not, if Gio attacks he will prevent double teams on Angelo Kouame and open some space for the shooters. 

 

Provided he can find that confidence… 

 

Okay, onto the win over La Salle.

 

The reason why I say it is huge is this – La Salle led early on then coughed it up, Ateneo led then coughed it up, the Blue Eagles went on a tear, and then repulsed a scorching rally by the Green Archers to get the win.

 

That is what you hope to be a character building win whether Schonny Winston was present or not. 

 

And the other saving grace has been the half-time adjustment – an Ateneo patent since Norman Black was sheriff in these parts.

 

I am glad they fixed that over dribbling where they waste all these precious seconds and they take shots with the shot clock winding down.

 

The rotation was shorter and when others faltered, the starters went right back in. That’s good and bad, but it is winning time. Time to jockey for that favorable playoff position. 

 

So it is a win that gives hope. A win they should build on. 

 

Ateneo can very well not win it this season or even in the next few (well, we will be losing more players next year). I know that you cannot win them all. All you can ask is to fight to the last minute. 

 

That is why there is the cheer, “One Big Fight.” It is more than a clever cheer. The teams of yore were known for that. And the current Blue Eagles team could have it. They need to dig deep.        

 

Because more than ever, they will need it in this challenge of a season.